West Virginia White
Common NameWest Virginia White
Scientific NamePieris virginiensis
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyPierinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorswhite, gray
HabitatMoist deciduous forests, rich woodlands, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to eastern Kentucky and Tennessee
Host PlantsCardamine diphylla, Cardamine concatenata, Cardamine maxima
Flight PeriodMarch to May
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on toothwort host plants. Larvae are green with a yellow stripe. Pupae overwinter, often camouflaged as dead leaves or twigs.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its translucent, delicate white wings with faint dark veins, especially on the underside, and its early spring flight period. Lacks the prominent black spots of the Cabbage White.
Description
A delicate, small white butterfly with translucent wings and faint gray or brown venation, especially on the underside of the hindwings.
